Escobar's streak ends at 421; Hammel to 'pen

Royals manager Ned Yost had hinted in recent weeks that he eventually would rest shortstop Alcides Escobar, and that day came Sunday. After 421 straight starts -- a franchise record and the longest active consecutive-games streak in the Major Leagues -- Escobar did not start against the Red Sox.

Royals manager Ned Yost had hinted in recent weeks that he eventually would rest shortstop Alcides Escobar, and that day came Sunday. After 421 straight starts -- a franchise record and the longest active consecutive-games streak in the Major Leagues -- Escobar did not start against the Red Sox.

"Because I decided today was the day," Yost said. "I just decided today was it. I don't have a 'scientifical' equation where I went out and looked at 19 different factors and looked at how the stars lined up with the moon.

"We talked about the streak coming to an end about a month ago. It's taken me this long to get him an off-day. But I wanted to see Adalberto Mondesi back to back at shortstop, and see Hunter Dozier at third and Abraham Almonte, who hasn't played in a while."

Yost said he informed Escobar on Saturday night.

"He was OK with it," Yost said. "He just said, 'Thank you.'"

Escobar seemed in a good mood Sunday morning when he entered the clubhouse.

"I was really proud of the streak," Escobar said. "It was 421 straight games and that is not easy.

"I understand the situation right now. The team is trying to look at different situations. But I'm happy to be here."

Hammel to bullpen, Smith to start

Struggling right-hander Jason Hammel will be taken out of the rotation and moved to the bullpen, Yost said. Right-hander Burch Smith will take Hammel's place and start on Wednesday in Minnesota.

Hammel gave up eight runs in two innings Friday, as his ERA ballooned to 6.16.